Deaf in Togo

Introduction / History

Taken as a whole, worldwide Deaf communities would comprise one of the largest unreached groups in the world. Unlike most people groups, Deaf people can be found in every country and often blend in with the broader community around them. That includes Togo.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Deaf people have unique languages and cultures, and they value them so much that if given the chance to become a member of the hearing community, some might even refuse. Since most Deaf people are born to hearing parents, and very few of those parents learn to sign, many Deaf people are isolated from their families and the broader community. Instead of acquiring language from their parents, many acquire language from other Deaf in the community or from a Deaf school.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Togo is largely a Christianized nation, so there is some gospel input for the Deaf. However, church services are conducted to reach the hearing community, and the Deaf don’t understand much of what they see.

What Are Their Needs?

Oppression by the hearing community is also commonplace; decisions are made for the Deaf without Deaf input; education may be provided only in the spoken language without interpreting. All of these common experiences serve to unite Deaf people across cult

Prayer Points

Because of the lack of access to the spoken language, many Deaf people have difficulty participating in church services and activities; relatively little Bible translation work has been done in sign languages and interpreted church services provide only the most basic of access to the Deaf community. Like spoken languages, sign languages are not universal and vary widely from country to country and often even within a country. For Deaf people to have full access to scripture, they need both Bible translations in their heart language and services in sign language.

Text Source:   Joshua Project